Outbreak Control Plan

Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Updated: 27 January 2021 Why do we need an Outbreak Plan?

• We want to keep our residents as safe as we can from COVID-19 until better treatments and/or a vaccine is available. • The initial phase of COVID-19 was countrywide. As national restrictions are lifted, sporadic cases are likely which will need local action to prevent spread. • Building on local knowledge and trusted partnerships our local plan adds to national programmes. Outbreak Control Plan Themes

1. Care homes and schools • Prevent and manage outbreaks in specific individual settings (e.g. schools, care homes)

2. High risk places, locations and communities • Prevent and manage outbreaks in other high-risk locations, workplaces and communities

3. Local testing capacity • Deploy local testing capacity optimally Outbreak Control Plan Themes

4. Contact tracing in complex settings • Deliver contact tracing for complex settings and cohorts

5. Data integration • Access to the right local data to enable the other themes and prevent outbreaks

6. Vulnerable people • Support vulnerable people and ensure services meet the needs of diverse communities Outbreak Control Plan Themes

7. Local Boards including Communication & Engagement • Take local actions to contain outbreaks and communicate with the general public

8. Workforce • Keeping our workforce safe Managing risks locally

- COVID-19 does not travel on its own. It is transmitted largely in droplets, coughed out by people who are infected.

- Wash your hands regularly, use a face covering when social distancing is not possible and try to keep your distance from those not in your household (Hands, Face, Space). Isolating infectious people is also a key protection measure to prevent spread.

- Some people seem more likely to catch COVID-19 or to become more sick as a result. These people need extra protection. Managing risks locally

- Some settings are more risky, for example where infectious people are being cared for, where social distancing and isolation are more challenging or where there are people at particular risk of harm from COVID-19.

- It is likely that COVID-19 will be harder to spot and control in the winter and we need to be prepared. Managing risks locally

In the Royal Borough we are developing focussed outbreak plans for a range of settings and population groups including:

- Schools

- Care Homes

- Residential settings

- Workplaces

- Transport

- Retail

- Places of worship

- Leisure facilities

- Vulnerable groups

- BAME communities

- People facing homelessness

- Tourism What actions might be taken or recommended?

- Alert messaging

- Focussed testing of people with and without symptoms

- Special testing facilities set up

- Closure of premises

- Restricting visiting

- Cancelling events

- Closing playgrounds or other facilities

- Enhanced monitoring of people isolating

- Specific advice on PPE and infection prevention and control measures

- Contact tracing How will we respond to an outbreak in the Royal Borough?

- We will watch data on cases and risks closely, so we spot outbreaks early.

- We will support our residents to stay safe, encouraging handwashing, social distancing and isolation and assisting those who need help to comply.

- The actions we take will be those most likely to be effective, based on evidence.

- We will act swiftly to put local actions in place to support Public Health England’s recommendations on controlling spread.

- We will communicate with local people and organisations to help them keep safe. Managing a local outbreak is a team effort

- Local Authority

- Public Health England

- NHS hospitals and clinics

- NHS Test & Trace

- National Joint Biosecurity Centre

- Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum

- Schools, Colleges & Universities

- Care Homes

- Local businesses

- Police Outbreak notification and response

Public Health England

Notifies

RBWM Environmental Health is notified of possible cases

Informs

East Berkshire Health Protection Cell This group includes experts in public health and people who have in-depth knowledge of the local area and its communities

Acts

Relevant people and organisations, including local councillors and senior leaders in RBWM

Informs

Local organisations

Notifies

ACTIONS will be specific to the situation, expert-led and reviewed if the situation changes. We will keep the public informed through our Local Outbreak Engagement Board What if more action is needed?

RBWM GOLD Command will work with local Public Health England Health Protection teams to develop a local response and allocate resources.

The local authority response team will help manage the local response.

Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum will test plans and command & control arrangements to support actions across Berkshire.

East Berkshire Health Protection Board will oversee the development of the outbreak control plan and deploy mobile testing units when necessary.

South East Regional Oversight Group will share learning from one area to another, monitor outbreak management and oversee NHS Test & Trace.

Action at a National level if needed. When to get in touch

If you are self-isolating or vulnerable and need help with shopping or medication delivery please contact the Community Response Hub on 020 3514 8117.

If you think someone has Covid-19 in your workplace, school or other setting please contact the council on 01628 683820 (Monday – Friday 9am-5pm) and for urgent referrals on Saturday and Sunday between 9am to 5pm please email Env.Health@RBWM.gov.uk

If you have symptoms, stay home and contact NHS Test & Trace to get tested: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 if you have no internet access Communication with residents

- Our outbreak engagement board will be held every month, and more often if needed, involving local councillors accountable to the public.

- We will keep our website up to date with the latest information and guidance.

- We will use social media to spread the word.

- We will work with services, businesses and organisations to make sure information is clear and accurate.

- We will make information available in accessible formats and languages other than English. Governance

- Overseen by our two Berkshire Health Protection Boards, key partners will work together to control spread locally.

- Our Local Outbreak Engagement Board will listen and keep the public informed about COVID-19.

- The Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum will put Command and Control arrangements in place to act across a broader geography if needed.

- The South East Regional Oversight Group will help us learn from other areas. Next steps for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Outbreak Control Plan

- **Review**: Review our plans alongside new national programmes such as the Joint Biosecurity Centre

- **Adapt**: Adapt the plan as we learn more about COVID-19 and local outbreaks

- **Refine**: Refine the plan with partners The latest COVID-19 information at your fingertips:

www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk

- Understand the tier level restrictions in RBWM and across Berkshire
- The latest COVID-19 data for RBWM and Berkshire at your fingertips
- Access our information centre to find information about public health in Berkshire